Automatic sliding-type mobile communication terminal, method of automatically driving sliding-type mobile communication terminal, and method of detecting incoming call to sliding-type mobile communication terminal

Abstract

An automatic sliding-type mobile communication terminal comprising a motor, a pair of engaging members, which are selectively engageable with each other, and position detecting means so that a first terminal body and a second terminal body are smoothly slid relative to each other in an automatic/semi-automatic mode or an automatic/manual mode, a method of automatically driving an automatic sliding-type mobile communication terminal, and a method of detecting an incoming call to an automatic sliding-type mobile communication terminal.

1 . A method of detecting an incoming call to a sliding-type mobile communication terminal having a first terminal body and a second terminal body, the first terminal body and the second terminal body being automatically slid relative to each other while one of the first terminal body and the second terminal body is laid on the top of the other, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) receiving an incoming call from the outside;    (b) applying an incoming call detection signal to a driving control unit of the sliding-type mobile communication terminal when the incoming call is detected;    (c) determining an initial rotation direction of a driving motor by means of the driving control unit depending upon whether the second terminal body is exposed or covered; and    (d) applying an operation signal to the driving motor of the sliding-type mobile communication terminal by means of the driving control unit so that the second terminal body can be repeatedly exposed and covered.    
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (e) stopping the opening and closing operation of the first terminal body by means of the opening/closing operation switch; and    (f) operating the driving motor of the sliding-type mobile communication terminal until the second terminal body is fully exposed when the second terminal body is covered after it is detected whether the second terminal body is exposed or covered.    
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the Step (c) is carried out by detecting the position of a position detecting target by means of the at least two detecting means spaced apart from each other by a moving distance of the first terminal body in order to determine whether the second terminal body is covered or exposed.  
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the Step (d) repeatedly carries out the following sub-steps of: 
 (d1) applying an operation signal to the driving motor of the sliding-type mobile communication terminal by means of the driving control unit; and    (d2) applying a drive signal having the direction opposite to the rotating direction to the driving control unit when the position detecting target is detected by means of one of the at least two detecting means within a prescribed period of time.    
   
   
       5 . The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the Step (d) further comprises the following sub-step of: 
 (d3) applying a drive signal having the direction opposite to the rotating direction to the driving control unit when the position of the position detecting target is not detected by means of the at least two detecting means for a prescribed period of time.    
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the position detecting target and the at least two detecting means are attached at a position where the first terminal body and the second terminal body are overlapped when the second terminal body is fully exposed or fully covered.  
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the position detecting target is a magnet, and the at least two detecting means are non-contact sensors for detecting a magnetic force of the magnet.  
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the position detecting target is a protrusion formed at one side of the first terminal body or the second terminal body, and the at least two detecting means are thin domed switches formed at one side of the second terminal body or the first terminal body, the domelike switches corresponding to the protrusion.